Water scene looks bleak in Ernakulam

KOCHI: With more than 25 percent deficiency in annual south-west monsoon, many parts of Ernakulam are heading towards severe drinking water crisis. Though Ernakulam received a fair amount of rainfall compared with other districts, groundwater level has not been replenished accordingly due to poor rainwater absorption as a result of massive filling of wetlands, paddy fields and water holding areas, say experts. The water tables of the hilly eastern parts have already started depleting. Since they have no Kerala Water Authority connection, the civic bodies have begun supplying potable water in tanker lorries.

If the northeast monsoon also is weak, they say, the entire district will plunge into deep drinking water crisis. “Drinking water situation here turns grim even several months before the onset of summer, thanks to the poor and changed monsoon rainfall and overexploitation of groundwater," said Dr Sunny George, director SCMS Water Institute. “No agency including the city corporation, groundwater department, Centre for Water Resources Development and Management has any data on the extent of groundwater exploitation. There are no statistics on the number of borewells and no licensing system for digging new wells.”

A recent survey by the Water Institute predicts a decline in groundwater level in the city by one metre in next ten years. Salinity intrusion from backwaters to hinterlands is another major issue. At present, salinity is present in groundwater within 1.4 kilometres of the seashore. As most of the city areas come under the critical or semicritical groundwater zone, an effective monitoring system to conserve water sources and introducing permits for drilling a domestic well are crucial, feel the expert.

Meanwhile, sources at district groundwater department told DC that though groundwater level is on a gradual decrease, the monthly samples taken from more than 60 sources show no sudden or sharp dip.  However, the fall in surface water level would reflect in groundwater level only after two or three months.